SCENE IN A LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 572, 19 April 1876, Page 3

SCENE IN A LUNATIC ASYLUM.

An amusing circumstance, says the Glasgow Weekly Mail, took place a few days ago at a private lunatic asylum near Warrington. On the morning of the day upon which the occurrence took place, this asylum was thrown open to visitors. Amongst the visi* tors was one who could not be said to have been impelled on his journey either by pity or curiosity, for he was none other than John Black, a carter, and a gentleman perfectly unknown to fame, who had been deputed by his employers, to supply the asylum with a load of coal. John delivered his load of coal honourably at the side door of the establishment, and, of course, presented “ weight note.” For the consummation of the usual formality, John was desired to wait; and, of course, being left to himself, the aforesaid philosophic mind began to ruminate about “them poor chaps inside,” till John came to the firm conclusion that he could never rest satisfied till he had seen something at least of the goings on in the interior, and seen for himself how a lunatic looked chained up in his cell. Black, seeing no one near to oppose his entrance, slipped through the door, up a little flight of stairs, along a lobby, and hearing some one coming, popped slyly into a chamber with bars across the window, which fortunately opened as soon as he touched the handle. John waited, and as soon as he thought all was safe moved to go out, the place of his incarceration being in reality a lunatic cell, which opens on the outside, but it is by no means so obliging to the queer people on the inside. John pulled and tugged at the door till he began to perspire, and, we fear, swear dreadfully ; then he took off his coat, set to work at the door again, but alas ! only ended in perspiring and swearing in a manner more dreadful. What was to be done ? John had evidently seen quite sufficient of the establish- i ment, and his only thoughts now were how to free himself. Just as he was debating whether to raise the building with cries, at i the risk of being complained of and probably dismissed by his employers, a philanthropically disposed lady and gentleman, Who had called to inspect the lunatics that morning, came slowly and sorrowfully upon the scene. They looked in through the bars. John scrutinised them with a rueful countenance. “ This, I suppose,” remarked the gentleman, continuing his observations to his companion, who was evidently much impressed with the scene—" This, I suppose, is a patient suffering from melancholia—very sad indeed. « YTould yer ’ave the kindness to open us the door sir,” broke in John with as bland a smile as possible under the circumstances. The lady shrank back with a slight cry of terror • but her companion immediately reassured her with a “Don’t be at all frightened my dear. Sou see it’s absolutely impossible for them to get out in consequence of the admirable arrangements I’m in a hurry,” appeals John, trying to keep good tempered, and fearing that every noise he heard was the warder’s footstep. “ Ah, poor fellow,” ejaculated the gentleman, “ you gee at this moment he appears perfectly sane and quiet— to-morrow, alas! he may be raving ” “ Raving be ” roared the carter, now out of all patience. “ I’m not mad— I’m the man that brought the coals, “ You hear him I Coals. It is evident the poor wretch has occasional gleams of remembrance which, doubtless sooth him in his affliction. I suppose, now he sold coals sometimes and” “ Are you going to let me out?” shrieked John, now raving like a veritable maniac, and tearing fiercely at the bar—" 1 tell you I brought the coals this morning.” " He’s getting violent, you see, already. As the poet says, Sad remembrance floating o’er the . ft you don’t believe me, you fools, go and see the horses outside —go and see the horses I yelled the afflicted prisoner, pointing wildly down the passage, “ Dear me, what a dreadful Bight. But come along, my dear, I fear our presence only makes him worse, and notwithstanding John’s entreaties to be out in the world once more, they left, perfectly convinced that they had seen a most interesting specimen. Ten minutes afterwards a warder was attracted by a noise, and on repairing to theiplace, found our friend John clinging t) the bars and bellowing amidst groans and taais, " I’m the man that brought the coalsi